Maid Visa Renewal Dubai: Steps, Documents, Timing

The route depends on who sponsors your maid. If Expat Maids already sponsors them, we manage the renewal for you. If you sponsor them yourself, our MOHRE-licensed typing team handles the government submissions while you stay the sponsor. Our 2-year visa packages start from AED 8,499, and the seven steps below cover both routes.

Dubai now runs domestic worker visas as one connected process. In July 2026, GDRFA Dubai's Domestic Workers Management service brought nine services into one journey, including contracts, insurance, medical tests, residency and Emirates ID. It cut the process from 11 steps to 6 and visits to a maximum of 2.

Step 1: Confirm who sponsors your maid

Check whose name the sponsor file sits under before you start. It decides who submits the renewal, who pays the government fees, and which Expat Maids service applies.

New to how sponsorship works? Read our guide to maid visa sponsorship in Dubai.

Step 2: Check expiry dates and start 30 days early

Start the renewal at least 30 days before the residency expires. That leaves room to fix a document without the visa lapsing.

Check these four dates first:

• Residency expiry date, shown on your maid's Emirates ID.

• Passport validity, which must cover the new residency period.

• Health insurance end date, since cover must continue into the new term.

• Your own residency and Emirates ID, if you are the private sponsor.

Step 3: Gather the renewal documents

The documents differ by route. Send sharp, colour scans to speed up checks.

If Expat Maids sponsors your maid, send:

• Your passport, UAE residence visa, Emirates ID, and Ejari or tenancy contract

• Your maid's passport (including the external cover page), current visa and a high-resolution digital photo

If you sponsor your maid privately, our typing team will ask for:

• Your passport, UAE residence visa and Emirates ID

• Your Ejari and latest DEWA bill

• Your maid's passport, current visa, Emirates ID and digital photo

Depending on your case, we may also ask for an attested marriage certificate, a labour contract showing the AED 25,000 minimum salary, or a police clearance for certain nationalities. We confirm the exact list before you visit. Emirati employers only need a passport copy with the unified number.

Step 4: Submit the renewal and the employment contract

The renewal application and a new MOHRE employment contract are submitted first. Every later step builds on this one.

• Sponsored by Expat Maids: we submit the application and register the contract with MOHRE. The contract states the job title and monthly salary. No government office visit is required.

• Private sponsorship: our typing team enters your and your maid's details into the government systems, including the contract renewal. Bring the originals to our Bur Dubai centre, open Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Most typing is completed within 24 hours of receiving complete documents.

Step 5: Complete the medical fitness test

Your maid must pass a new medical fitness test to renew residency. In Dubai, the test is done at one of Dubai Health's medical fitness centres, and it applies to everyone aged 18 and over.

• What it includes: a blood test and chest X-ray at a Dubai Health centre.

• Pregnancy test: female domestic workers must test negative to be declared fit.

• Hepatitis B vaccination: required for housekeepers and nannies under a UAE Cabinet decision, at an extra fee.

• Results: within 24 hours, sent by email and SMS. Allow up to 2 days.

We book the test and coordinate with the centre for you. If a result comes back unfit, our team will advise on next steps.

Step 6: Renew health insurance

Health insurance is applied for once the medical test is complete. Cover must stay in place for the full residency period.

Expat Maids visa packages include 2-year health insurance. It covers 80% of clinic and hospital costs and 70% of prescribed medication, across 700+ clinics, 30+ hospitals and 2,000+ pharmacies. Premium plans are available for wider cover. Private sponsors can arrange compliant insurance through our typing team.

Step 7: Receive residency approval and the new Emirates ID

Residency approval arrives within 2–3 working days of a fit medical result and active insurance. The new Emirates ID card is issued within 7 working days of approval.

• No passport sticker: the Emirates ID is now the official residency document. Visa stickers in passports are no longer issued.

• Biometrics: needed mainly for first-time applicants, so most renewals skip this visit.

• Track progress: Expat Maids clients can follow each step in the Expat Maids app, on iOS and Android.

How long does maid visa renewal take in Dubai?

With Expat Maids, residency may be approved within 5–7 working days of receiving complete documents, including the medical result. The new Emirates ID card follows within 7 working days of approval, so allow 2–3 weeks until the card is in hand. Delays often come from an expiring passport, lapsed insurance or a missing document, so check these in Step 2.

How much does maid visa renewal cost?

Expat Maids 2-year visa packages start from AED 8,499. Each covers residency, Emirates ID, medical test, health insurance, unemployment insurance, a WPS salary card and end-of-service benefits. If we already sponsor your maid, our team confirms your renewal price before anything is processed.

We estimate private sponsorship at AED 19,000+ once government fees, insurance and medical are included, for a 1-year visa.

What if the maid visa has already expired?

A visa can still be renewed after it expires, but act without delay. Contact us the same day, and we will check your maid's current status before any new submission.

Fines and grace periods depend on the individual case and current government rules. We confirm these after reviewing your documents rather than guessing.

Why renew with Expat Maids

• MOHRE licensed: a licensed domestic worker services centre trusted by 2,000+ families, with a 99% approval rate.

• Free consultation: expert advice on your renewal route, documents and timeline.

• No government visits: under our sponsorship, we handle the typing, medical booking, insurance and Emirates ID.

• 2-year residency: double the standard 1-year visa under private sponsorship.

• Salary protection: WPS salary card with automatic monthly transfers.

• Ongoing HR support: Travel NOCs, salary certificates, employment letters and employer–worker mediation.

Conclusion

Renewing a maid visa in Dubai involves seven steps: confirm the sponsor, check expiry dates, gather documents, renew the contract, pass the medical, renew insurance, and receive residency with a new Emirates ID. Start at least 30 days early, and most renewals are approved within 5–7 working days. Whether Expat Maids sponsors your maid or you stay the sponsor, our MOHRE-licensed team handles the paperwork so the visa never lapses.